📰 Popswop No.16‑Cover : Jan. 1973
- T.Rex
- Jan 20, 1973
- 3 min read
A bright, youth‑oriented Popswop cover from early 1973, packed with colour‑pic promises, teen‑idol energy and the magazine’s trademark mix of pop fandom, fashion and fun.
Popswop
Date: January 20, 1973
Format: Cover feature
A moment of bubblegum pop, glossy idols and early‑’70s teen‑mag sparkle.
đź“° Key Highlights
• Cover teases colour features on The Osmonds, Gary Glitter, Alice Cooper and Jeff Beck
• Promises “Pally Popsters” profiles — Popswop’s signature friendly star‑guides
• Includes fashion spreads (“Wet Weather Gear”) and sing‑along songwords
• Aimed squarely at the teen pop audience of the era
đź“° Overview
This *Popswop* cover captures the magazine at its most exuberant: bright colours, playful typography and a focus on the biggest chart‑friendly names of early 1973. The tone is cheerful and accessible, offering readers a mix of posters, profiles, fashion tips and lyrics — the full toolkit of teen‑mag fandom.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: Popswop
Date: January 20, 1973
Format: Cover
Provenance Notes: Based on the original Popswop No.16 issue.
đź“° The Story
The cover reflects the magazine’s editorial priorities:
• **Idol worship** — The Osmonds and Gary Glitter positioned as must‑see attractions
• **Rock crossover** — Alice Cooper and Jeff Beck included to broaden appeal
• **Lifestyle content** — fashion pages and songwords to keep readers engaged
• **Community tone** — “Pally Popsters” framing stars as approachable buddies
It’s a snapshot of the early‑’70s pop landscape, where glam, bubblegum and rock coexisted in the pages of a single teen magazine.
đź“° Visual Archive
• Full‑colour cover portrait of a guitar‑playing pop figure
• Bright Popswop masthead
• Promotional bursts for colour pics, fashion and songwords
Popswop in ’73 — cheerful, colourful and tuned perfectly to the teen‑pop moment.
đź“° Closing Notes
This cover stands as a vivid reminder of the era’s pop‑mag culture: friendly, flashy and designed to make every Saturday feel like a pop party.
Bolan's Fan Q&A in Popswop
This week, Marc Bolan has supplied us with the answers to some questions sent in by Pat Cooper of Wigan, Lancs.
Was it your ambition to be a pop star?
Well, it was my ambition to be involved in some way in the music biz - in fact I really quite fancied being the second Presley! Elvis
Have you any brothers or sisters?
I have one brother called James. He's twenty-seven.
What type of girls do you like?
I like girls who are easy to get on with and considerate. If they're arrogant or loud, then they're not for me!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I'd definitely choose to go to Iran, Persia. I don't know why really - just think I'd like it.
If you weren't in show-biz, what would you be doing?
Oh, writing, for sure. I've already written a few books on poetry and things and I really enjoyed doing them. If I couldn't be a writer then maybe I'd be a wizard!
Is there anything about your work that you don't like?
I'm not too keen on all the travelling I have to do I hate 'planes. Also, I don't like all the hassles, but I guess that's part of showbiz.
What kind of clothes do you wear when you're off-stage?
Really, I wear the same sort of clothes off-stage as I do on. As long as they're wild, unusual and fun to wear.
Have you got a nickname?
but A few of my friends call me 'Bole' that's probably 'cos they can't shorten Marc any more!
Do you have this Popswop cover/feature in your archive? Ready for Marc’s answers? Share in the comments!
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